.380 is supposed to be the same as 9mm but different than .38, hmmm that's clear as mud! Anyway, .32 vs .380, why would I pick one over the other?
I wouldn't pick either Griz, I've owned a few of both over the years and have sold them all. If I feel the need to carry, its a minimum of a compact 9mm now.
Of the 2 you mentioned, 380 with a nasty defense load. btw, 380 is 9x17mm. 9mm is 9x19. In layman's terms, more projectile mass and more powder (more velocity) in the 9mm. That equates to more knockdown power aka kinetic energy. But...ammowise 32 vs 380, they are both hard to find and expensive when you do find them. Imo, Go 9mm for this reason alone. It's cheaper and easier to find.
Thanks, it will probably be 9mm. It's tough to get a clear picture of what is what online-- people saying .380 is 9mm, some saying it isnt. I think you cleared it up.
9mm wide projectile in both...true. but the bullet weighs more in the 9x19 round. The case is 2mm longer on a 9mm.
9mm or 45 is what I carry.... But when I need I'll carry my 380.... Cause a 380 fits in my pocket. Very concealable in light clothing. Plus 380 is better than a 9 or 45 left at home...
Bocefus' picture above is exactly why you bypass the .32 or .380 and get the 9mm. It's definitely cheaper and easier to get 9mm ammo. For a carry piece, you'll never feel a difference with the 9mm.
Think of .380 as a 9mm short. It would be the smallest carry pistol that I would consider. The 9mm is much better choice. You can get a small easy-to-conceal pistol and you can easily find ammo for it Look at the specs for Ruger LCP (.380) vs Ruger LC9 (9mm)
Grizz I have a comp 9mm and love it small enough to con carry or open carry .i also am going to buy the new s/m 45 it's less than an 1inch wide and its a comp.
I have a Ruger .380 ACP, which I love for its size. You’re just not going to find a 9mm that small, I once walked into a concert carrying it in a wallet holster. The bouncer patted me down, asked if I had phone in my back pocket, and let me through. I’m of the opinion that any gun you’re carrying is better than the bigger one that you left at home. My main carry gun is a 5 shot .38 special with non +P loads. I’m on the lookout for a tiny North American Arms .22 revolver at the moment for those times I can’t carry my LCP or J-frame; I’m pretty sure even a .22 will make most people think twice about harming me or my family. .380 is expensive compared to 9mm luger, but it’s comparable to .45ACP in price, and I’ve always been able to find .380 at Wal-mart. As far as knock down, if you’re worried about some lunatic hopped up on coke, or a jihadist with a death wish, you might want to consider something larger. But your average criminal will probably turn and run at just the sight of a firearm, he/she isn’t going to stick around and try to identify if your bore is 9mm, .40 cal, or .45 cal.
When your looking down the barrel end...they all look huge I wouldn't be afraid to carry a 380 at all. They are getting very popular now with all the new self defense bullets that are out. These new expanding type bullets will deliver almost 100% of the energy because they expand usually to about 150% of their original size and quite often do not exit. Making them very lethal when compared to bullets from 20-30 years ago. And many of the popular brands are bringing out 380's that never had them before. Like Glock and Kimber. A friend of mine bought the glock 380, it is very nice. As far as ammo, as others have mentioned, its pricey. And a little harder to find. But, if it means you can conceal in deep cover rather than not carry at all, then its well worth the money. I don't think money should be the number 1 factor when your considering personal defense. As long as your sidearm is reliable and you are proficient with it, thats all that really matters. Personally. I have been carrying a compact 45 for about 4 years. And carried a compact 40 for about 12 years before that. It is all just personal preference.
What he said. I never liked either the 32 or 380. I have had several. I do not like the SIG either (slide action is terrible for me). A Glock 20 (10mm) and a Colt 1911 .45 are my WOC for open and CCW. Larger, much more effective. I also prefer to carry and train using the same type of 'single' action. Note: If the FBI/feds do not like them, I tend to like them, and vice-verse.
I carry the baby glock, G26. Compact carry 9mm, 10+1. It's a decent size for a large hand (with the pinky finger extention on the mag) and conceals well with an IWB holster.
The 9 mil beebee Glock 26 is probably the most common CCW gun out there. Or one of them anyway. I may downsize to that from the Glock 20, which is a big gun. 9mm ammo is way cheaper than 10mm or .45 ACP as well.
How about the walther CCP? http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/walther-ccp-new-gun-review/ Or the m&p shield? My father has a ruger lcp 380 and a lc9 9mm. I like the small size of the lcp, but it's so small in my big hands.
Check out the new Glock 43 too. I've owned many KelTecs and still have a KelTec 5.56 folding carbine. The .380s were great for pocket carry but too small for my big hands and had a long heavy trigger pull. The P-11 was a decent little gun and the PF9 has a decent reputation but I've never shot one. But now that the single stack subcompact Glock 43 in 9mm is out I'm saving my pennies for that.
